Category Archives: Europe

This post (the second of a three-part Switzerland travel series) was written by Deborah Grossman from the San Francisco Bay Area.

In South West Switzerland, Geneva may get the fame. But Lausanne has won my heart. Some cities are the perfect size, and Lausanne fits the bill. As the fourth-largest city in the country and home to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Lausanne has grand hotels, a bustling tourist life, and an excellent metro system. Yet the many quiet neighborhoods, the mix of historic and trendy venues, plus many local festivals and traditions give the destination a small-town ambiance.

Lavaux tending the vineyards with Lake Geneva and the Alps in the background- Credit: Deborah Grossman

This post (the first of a three-part Switzerland travel series) was written by Deborah Grossman from the San Francisco Bay Area.

Switzerland has a mighty mix of attractions considering it’s ten times smaller than California. Though Zurich and Lucerne receive more tourist attention, the towns along the Montreux Riviera hugging Lake Geneva in South West Switzerland are hidden treasures. From Montreux, the famous jazz-obsessed town, to Charlie Chaplain’s town of Vevey with an easy segue to Rougemont in the Alps, you may fall in love with a destination surrounded by natural beauty.

This post was written by Deborah Grossman from the San Francisco Bay Area.

Passionate vintners craft world-class wine from the historic hillside vineyards of Burgundy. While winemakers tend the grapes, chefs in Beaune, the wine capital of the region, prepare outstanding cuisine to pair with their neighbor’s gems.

From luxurious fine dining to welcoming bistros, the small town of Beaune boasts over 100 restaurants, including four with Michelin-stars. During a recent visit to tour wineries and attend the 156th Hospices de Beaune wine charity auction in the city, we savored creative meals at these six top restaurants. Continue reading →

This post was written by Deborah Grossman from the San Francisco Bay Area.

In the villages of Burgundy dining is as much an art form as winemaking. From the Grand Cru vineyards of Nuit-St-Georges in the north of the Côte d’Or to Chassagne-Montrachet, Levernois, and the small hamlet of Santenay in the south, dining opportunities abound.

Expect these restaurants to serve exceptional local wines. The name Côte d’Or harkens to the area’s “slopes of gold” as the Burgundian vines turn color after harvest. The A6 road from Paris to Lyon passes through Burgundy. Known as Autoroute du Soleil or Motorway of the Sun, the A6 is the main route to the south of France. Whether you target Burgundy for your stay or stop along the way, these four restaurants offer memorable cuisine.

The picturesque city of Bath is one of England’s top destinations. Lined with quaint cobblestone streets, Bath is Britain’s only designated World Heritage listed city – famous for its 18th century Georgian architecture and ancient Roman Baths. The Royal Crescent, one of Bath’s major attractions, celebrates its 250th anniversary in 2017 – what better time to visit this charming city and enjoy the celebrations. Check out our list of recommendations of fun things to do this year.

Located in Somerset (about 100 miles west of London), Bath is only a 90-minute journey by train from London’s Paddington Station. If you’re staying in London and are interested in visiting Bath for the day, there are some fun Guided One-Day Trips that you can take. We’ve included a few of these options at the end of our article.

After traveling 6,000 miles from San Francisco, CA we couldn’t wait to enjoy a relaxing and romantic weekend getaway in Bath. Traveling by train, the picturesque city of Bath is only a 90-minute journey from London’s Paddington Station. It’s an easy trip to make if you’re visiting London and want to escape to England’s beautiful countryside for a few days.

Bath is famous for its magnificent 18th century Georgian architecture and its ancient Roman Baths. It’s also considered to be the most romantic city in the UK – and after our last visit there, we couldn’t agree more!

It’s easy to see why Dublin is one of Ireland’s most popular destinations. Steeped in history and culture, Dublin is the largest city in Ireland and home to the country’s top tourist attraction – the famous Guinness Storehouse Brewery. Every year, the brewery draws over one million visitors from around the world. Add to that the city’s 1,000+ pubs, it’s no surprise that it’s a fun place to celebrate a special occasion, especially St. Patrick’s Day! Enjoy Dublin’s historical and literary walking tours… plus fun day trips to some of Ireland’s most magnificent natural wonders and iconic landmarks.

Valentine’s Day – Sunday, February 14, 2016

Looking for something fun and romantic to do with your honey on Valentine’s Day? This year, Valentines Day falls on a Sunday of a 3-day weekend (Monday, February 15th is President’s Day, a national U.S. holiday) – so you have plenty of time to celebrate.

If you haven’t already made your Valentine’s Day plans, check out these fun River & Bay Cruises in London, Paris, New York and San Francisco. And if you’re thinking of popping the question… this may be the place to do it!